Spring 2015 Stedfast News The Newsletter for former Members, Serving Officers, Associates and Friends of The Boys' Brigade in Brighton Hove and District

The Object of The Stedfast Association Dear Stedfast Members, To further the Object of The Boys' Brigade and to foster the What a Reunion! Increased numbers attending, a fine spirit of Comradeship between address by The Revd. Ian Suttie and a very informative past and present Members of tea table talk by John Neil O.B.E. Honorary Brigade the Brigade and to render President. For many the highlight of the afternoon was Service to Others the presentation by The Deputy Mayor of Brighton to The Object of The Ros Ayling for all her dedicated work for The Stedfast Boys’ Brigade Association and The Brigade for over forty years. Well done Ros - and so say all of us! The advancement of Christ's Kingdom among Boys and the The weather played an important part in helping people Promotion of Habits of to attend. If you were unable to be present this year, be Obedience, Reverence, determined to take your seat in 2016 -travel down Discipline, Self Respect and all that tends towards a true Memory Lane and decide what you can do to help The Christian Manliness Brigade today. Stedfast Committee We must honour the Members of The Forces and other Medical Services who PRESIDENT in the face of considerable personal danger are serving in Sierra Leone. Helping Peter Ford to contain and bring to an end to the Ebola Epidemic. We remember all the many Members of The Brigade in Freetown and surrounding Towns and VICE PRESIDENTS Villages. May God direct them in these very difficult and often tragic days. We Rev. Ian Suttie especially remember those who will be playing the band instruments sent out by Rev. Julian Albrow John Donoghue on behalf of The Brigade. We also remember with affection CHAIRMAN Eric Brighton who served in Sierra Leone many years ago and our Glynde Camp John Donoghue C.O Gary Pickett who will again be doing Christian Work in The Congo this June. TREASURER Vacant The world is a mixture of love and hate and The B.B. plays a frontline part in this battle. Whenever you are aiding The B.B. you are you are doing The Lord's SECRETARY work and increasing the Kingdom. But when you hold back from doing good Alan Caperon you are denying the Lord who gave everything both in Life and in laying down MEMBERSHIP SEC His life at the first Easter. Let us remember the Great Commission from St. Ken Towner Matthew 28.

COMMITTEE “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and Jim Attwater make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of Ray Eaves the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have Dick Kent commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age”. Terry Pomfrey Paul Simmons Glynde 2015 is eagerly anticipated. The menus are agreed and the tuck shop is Stephen Roberts to be second to none. Let us hope that all who attend will be filled with Spiritual Les Russell Food that will last forever. Peter Ford Stedfast Association President Page 2 Stedfast News Spring 2015

Editorial Another year is upon us but the difficulties of 2014 are still with the Country and appear to be escalating let us pray that resolutions can be found so that we can live in a more peaceful world. We should remember all those that suffer at this difficult time. The Annual Reunion was a most enjoyable afternoon, the service was again blessed with a splendid address by our Vice President Rev Ian Suttie and the singing nearly lifted the roof. Unfortunately the AGM ran out of time and some of the usual items were dealt with at speed, I am sure that the Committee will have this in mind when organising the next Reunion and AGM. It was good to see that we continue to have an attendance of over 100 let’s hope we can continue to keep this up. It was so good to have a First Aider on site in order to deal with the sad collapse of one of our members. CPR was given and this successfully revived the gentleman who was then transferred to hospital where he made a full recovery. First Aid training at work!! Well done to the First Aider Stuart Whythe.

I send greetings to you all for this New Year and trust that you will all have a peaceful and enjoyable year and I look forward to seeing you all next year.

Gods Blessing to All Dick

Ros Ayling with Councillor Denise Cobb

Our Oldest and youngest boys for 2015 Youngest old boy was Carl Smart And oldest was Jim Attwater

The Stedfast Association - Brighton is an organisation for past members of The Boys' Brigade Brighton Hove & District Battalion. If you have been a boy or member of staff in any company past or present within our Battalion you are automatically a member. Past Members of The Boys' Brigade from all over the world are welcome to join our Association.

To register, contact our membership secretary: Ken Towner, 14, Prince William Close, Findon Valley, Worthing, West Sussex. BN14 0AZ.

To help with the association costs, we would suggest a donation of £10 . (cheques payable to the Stedfast Association) Page 3 Stedfast News Spring 2015

C

In September 1959 I was leaving my job as a Time-keeper/wages cashier in a large factory to go to a Methodist Laymen's Bible College. I was only going from Northampton to Cliff College near H Calver in Derbyshire, a journey of less than one hundred miles. However, the choice of leaving card was prophetic as I took the first steps of a long journey.

I went on to Richmond College in Surrey and then to a Selly Oak College. Fifty years ago I sailed from Amsterdam for the Leeward Islands, the cargo ship going A via Venezuela and seven Caribbean islands – some 5,550 sea miles. As a minister I worked in St Kitts and two islands in the Netherlands Antilles, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Jamaica and Guyana in South America. The distances in direct air-miles between these territories were approximately 25, 143, 503, 811, 1,458 and the average distance back to England 4,600 miles. In England I was in Luton before going overseas again to the Isle of Wight, and then here to Eastbourne on the British P Isle.

My work colleagues thought I was “bound to go far”, but it meant taking a first step of faith and putting myself in the hands of the church.

The Bible story begins with Abraham who is the father of faith religions - Judaism, L Christianity and Islam. By faith, Abraham obeyed God when he left his native land and “went out, not knowing where he was to go.” (Hebrews 11:8.) The distances from Ur to Haran through the holy land to Egypt and back to Bethel cover over a thousand miles on the map, but his journeys on rough tracks, over mountains and across deserts may have been twice that distance (Genesis 12-14.) A

I

In the 1st century, “Wise men, seeking Jesus, travelled from afar, Guided on their journey by a beauteous star,” and in the 21st century, perhaps you're also bound to go far in God's service. But it still takes small steps of faith as we go forward N one day at a time. – Rev Dr John C. Neal Page 4 Stedfast News Spring 2015

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

We have all had the opportunity to attend our Annual reunion last January. It was encouraging to see more members this year compared to last year. The service was attended by The Deputy Mayor of Brighton & Hove Councillor Denise Cobb and the Chairman of the Adur District Council Fred Lewis and the Vice Chairman Carson Aubrey. John Neal OBE travelled down from Scotland to meet you all and to lead us in prayer. Afterwards to talk of his work in the BB Worldwide. He is President of the Federation of Stedfast Associations and Hon. President of The Boys' Brigade. Our Vice Chairman Rev. Ian Suttie gave us an interesting and inspiring address and we learned a lot more of his membership of the BB as a Boy and a young man. Derek Hinton our Battalion President read the lesson and the service was conducted by our very own Brighton Stedfast Association President Peter Ford. There was a sad moment at the beginning of the Service as John Corin of the 30th Brighton Company had been taken ill and an ambulance took him to hospital. I understand John is now improved in health. Dick Kent gave a tribute to Ros Ayling for her long service to the BB and an engraved clock was presented by Councillor Denise Cobb who said a few words about Ros and her invitation to our Reunion. I would suggest that in future years that it would be good if you would all consider bringing your wives to our Reunion. I do know that some of you do and they have supported the BB some in the GB. Please consider this for next year. The Federation are meeting on Friday 15th May - Sunday 17th May at the Liner Hotel, Lord Nelson Steet Liverpool L3 5QB. I am pleased to tell you that Dick Kent & Steve Roberts will be attending with me for this Fellowship Weekend. The programme including a Welcome Dinner and a Gala Dinner on the Saturday Evening, will also give us the opportunity to visit Merseyside Maritine Museum and the Museum of Liverpool at the Pier Head Waterfront. City Sightseeing on the open top tour bus includes Liverpool's Cathedrals. A cruise on the Mersey Ferry as well as The Wheel of Liverpool for panoramic views are optional. There will be the opportunity to visit Port Sunlight Village or the Seaside at New Brighton, The Walker Art gallery and World Museum and Central Library which is across the road from the Liner Hotel. The Liverpool Shopping Area is a few minutes walk away. The Liverpool & District Battalion Parade Service is on Sunday Morning and a Liner Hotel Buffet will be served in the Pacific Lounge at 1pm. It is intended that the Event will be open to everyone in Stedfast including wives. Please if you wish to attend contact me. The Weekend promises to be a good time of BB Fellowship. It has been suggested that we should consider more social events! As you all know we have our main event in January for the Reunion. The Founders Dinner in October and we parade with our Bugle Band for Remembrance in November and lay a wreath. If you think this is a good idea and would like to suggest new activities and I get an overwhelming response I can bring your thoughts to the Committee. May I remind you we are still looking for an Archivist to look after the huge collection of BB Memorabilia! If you would like to support The Bugles and Drums of The Stedfast Association at The Eastbourne Carnival on Saturday 30th May 2015, You will be made very welcome. There will be a Barbecue at 12 noon, a bus will pick you up to take you to the seafront and to bring you back again at the finish to return to my home for an evening meal at 6pm. 37, Park Avenue, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 2XG telephone; 01323 501857 [email protected] John Donoghue, Chairman. Page 5 Stedfast News Spring 2015

Reunion address Derek Hinton Hi, Tiring Christmas, Strenuous Christmas, Relaxing Christmas, Whatever, l sincerely hope it was an enjoyable and successful one for all of you as you Celebrated our Savour's Birthday.

Why is everything shortened. You text on your mobile, but you put the letter u for Y O U, the number 2 instead of T W O and so on. What is all this technology doing. More to the point, are you and me, mere youngsters, keeping up with it all. Then there are the sayings. You meet someone in the street. Hello you say, how are you ? You can probably guess what the answers going to be. Oh, I'm good. But you didn’t ask them whether they are good or bad, you asked after the position of their health. A young man called Roger wasn't very good though, he was on a full bus when a fat woman opposite said, ” lf you were a gentleman, you'd stand up and let someone else sit down". Roger replied, and if you were a lady, you'd stand up and let four people sit down.

In a letter from our Brigade Secretary, Steve Dickinson, he tells us that he is stepping down from his appointment at the end of July which means that Brigade Executive are seeking to appoint a new Brigade Secretary. His letter goes on to thank particularly all serving Officers and Staff, for their commitment and dedication, and because of them, young lives have been enriched, opportunities created and the gospel shared. Best Wishes for a peaceful and blessed Christmas. Well, I don't suppose there is anyone present this afternoon who would want to or are able to fill the role, even in our Companies within our Battalion. We have all reached well past the age for such a challenge. So the Brigade are looking for a new secretary, and our Battalion are also looking for a new Secretary, and have been for far too many years.

A young man has just received a scholarship to medical school, - the only trouble is, they don't want him while he's alive. I would love for our Battalion to find a Secretary while I'm still alive.

Now what's positive in our Battalion. Believe you me, there are lots of positive things in our Battalion. We have a new Company about to start in Bognor Regis. Executive has changed also. We have lost Ray Eaves, and Roger Simmons , all of which we must give thanks for their time spent on your behalf; and rejoice that through the voting at Battalion Council, Reg Burkett and Steve Roberts have been elected onto Executive along with John Pigott, Terry Ward, Gary Pickett and Lynn Burtenshaw. All the Events and activities planned in our Sessions programme were completed, with over half of our companies winning at least one trophy, and boys gaining medals. The Ernest Beal V.C. Award was won last session by Sgt Wesley Heyward of the lst Lindfield Company. This years entries are due in from Companies by the 31st of January.

The Junior Section once again enjoyed their weekend away at the Carroty Wood Centre in Tonbridge. The only problem is that we could fill it three times over. The Battalion camp at Glynde was another rounding success story, and my thanks to all the staff who worked so hard at both of these events to ensure a Brilliant time was had by everyone present. Once again we are indebted to Adrian and our friends from Eastbourne, for all their hard work before and after camp. The Junior Holiday was led by Charlie Simmons, Captain 3rd Burgess Hill and our Battalion Camp by Lt Gary Pickett also from the 3rd Burgess Hill, well done to both of them. Sainsbury's active kids vouchers will soon be available for 2015, so please pass any you obtain to Companies collecting them.

Continued next page Page 6 Stedfast News Spring 2015

Reunion address continued

A Mother said to her Son, What did you learn at school today. The son replied, Not enough, I have to go back tomorrow.

Well, we do have a couple of part negative points unfortunately. The Brigade challenged companies to increase their numbers by 10%, but while some companies have achieved this, most have not, and then we have the situation in our Battalion, where we have three companies with Girls Associations, but with only a handful of girl members between them. In fact we are completely opposite to the Scouts, where girls generally out number the boys.

So far I have made it sound to you as if everything is going along reasonably well, but unfortunately that is not so. A man is in a prison cell with no windows and no doors, there are no holes in the ceiling or trapdoors in the floor, yet in the morning the wardens find him gone, How did he get out. The answer of course was through the doorway, there were no doors remember.

Well, all our companies have doors on their premises, so whilst it is a way in, it is also a way out at the end of our Brigade evening. The problem we seem to have with the majority of companies is keeping the boys in, we too easily seem to lose them and let them out of the door in the first place. I should have received for your information our statistics for this session from John Pigott, but unfortunately he has not received them all as yet, and I believe talking to companies that the numbers in some sections are well down, whilst other companies even have a waiting list ?

A six former said to his friends, I must rush home after school and cut the lawn. His friend said, why, did your father promise you something if you cut it. No the young man said, but he promised me something if l didn't. Whilst it is nice starting new companies, it is not good reading when I tell you that we have companies in danger of folding. We need our young Officers and staff to take more responsibility , be more reliable and delegate and plan. BB has got to be fun, exciting, educational, learning, physical as well as teaching the pillars of Christianity and discipline through Drill. If we turn up to a Brigade evening not prepared, the boy will be the first to spot it, and after a while, will leave. Then of course is the situation which I am constantly spoken about, and one that I really do find hard to answer or understand. A Boy, sometimes after years of service, others who have only been in the Boys’ Brigade for a few weeks, suddenly leave, and nobody, yes nobody bothers to ask or find out why they have left. Unbelievable, but oh so very true.

Plans are well in hand for the forthcoming events in the Junior and Company sections, including this sessions Holiday and camp, and I dare say the 14th Brighton Company have plans laid for their own Company Camp, please, all I ask is that all the boys are included in these plans. Tell them of the events, give every boy an application form and brochure of Glynde camp. it is not fair to the boys when you speak to them after events and activities have happened, and they say, I didn’t know anything about them, I wish I had.

Good Health and Best wishes to each one of you, thanks for once again listening to me.

Derek Hinton Battalion President.

MISSING BEAL VC WATCH WINNERS The missing Beal VC Watch winners are now in single figures. If you are or know of, any recipients in the following years; 1992, 1994, 1995, 1999, 2002 and 2005 please let any member of the committee know. Page 7 Stedfast News Spring 2015

SECRETARY REPORT STEDFAST MATTERS

Reunion and membership I would like to thank all the 115 members and guests that attended the Reunion and also all those that helped before and on the day. I also appreciate your generosity at the Reunion since the collection in the church raised £278 and the tea table collection raised a further £163. The Dale family kindly paid for the refreshments in memory of Frank Dale which enabled the tea table collection to go towards our Stedfast funds so we can provide greater support to our BB battalion at Glynde Camp. Please remember to visit our website to see the reunion photos at www.brightonstedfast.org.uk. Our membership is now growing again after years of decline and the amount we have already received for subs totals £1,350 in the first 2 months of the year. Accounts to 31 December 2014 Since I am still the acting Treasurer, I have shown below a summary of the Stedfast Association accounts for 2014 which were certified by John Dent, Chartered Accountant, as in accordance with the books and records. Income £ Please also let us have any interesting articles for the Subscriptions 1,700 Summer Newsletter. Reunion collections 847 God Bless you all Donations received 510 Alan Caperon Secretary and Acting Treasurer Total Income £3057 Expenditure BB Glynde donation (616) Southwick Church donation (500) Federation costs (250) Other donations (150) Website (72) Remembrance wreaths (85) Newsletter costs (629) Insurance (61) Reunion costs (477) Total expenses (2,840) Surplus 217 Bank B/F 1,769 Bank C/F 1,986

Photos from the Annual reunion Page 8 Stedfast News Spring 2015

Battalion Swimming Competition

On a cool winters evening, boys from the 9th Brighton, 1st Southwick, 1st Lindfield & 2nd Burgess Hill travelled to the Steyning Leisure Centre for their annual swimming competition held on Saturday February 7th. A mixture of traditional races (Front Crawl, Backstroke, Breaststroke & Backstroke) were mixed with other spectator favourites such as the rubber-tyre and ball races. The Junior section was again run by Mark (9th Brighton Company Captain), and again very successfully. As far as the Company Section is concerned, quite a poor turnout this year unfortunately but nevertheless was keenly fought and enjoyed by all.

Boys entering this year were:- Arthur McCall – 9th Brighton, Tomo Dance - 9th Brighton Scott Rittman - 9th Brighton Owen James - 1st Southwick Harry Newman – 1st Southwick Kyron Baker - 2nd Burgess Hill Jack Sherlock - 3rd Burgess Hill

Winners were as follows:- 11-12 Years Medal – Tied between Owen James ( 1st s/w) and Tomo Dance (9th Bton), 13-14 Years Medal – Scott Rittman ( 9th Bton) 15-18 Years Medal – Jack Sherlock ( 3rd B/Hill) John with Owen and Tomo Medley Relay – 9th Brighton Overall Trophy Winners – 9th Brighton Runners up - 1st Southwick Congratulations to all the winners, and a big thank you to all the lads for turning up and participating. Thank you to all the helpers over both competitions, and to John Donoghue for handing out the Company Section awards. Looking forward to next year, and let’s hope and pray that we have more entries. Steve Roberts and Mark Jago

Scott Jack Page 9 Stedfast News Spring 2015

Battalion Diary Dates

April 2015 7 Tue Executive 7.30pm (Battalion HQ) Brighton Hove & District Battalion 13 Mon Camp Council 7.45pm (Battalion HQ) Drill Competitions 2015 24/26 Fri-Sun Junior Section Holiday (Carroty Results sheet Wood)

May 2015 SQUAD MEDAL 5 Tue Finance Committee (TBA) 15 Federation AGM Squad Marks Place 16 Sat Junior 5-a-side Football (Triangle B/Hill) 3rd Burgess Hill 73 1st 30 Sat Eastbourne carnival 10th Brighton B 72 2nd June 2015 10th Brighton A 70 3rd 1 Mon Company Athletic Sports (Withdean Stadium 1st Southwick 55 4th Brighton) 2 Tue Executive 7.30pm (Battalion HQ) 15 Mon Camp Council 7.45pm (Battalion HQ) COMPANY COLOUR 12 0r 19 Fri Junior Sports Day (Braypool Rec Gd Col. Pty Marks Place Patcham) 3rd Burgess Hill 72 1st 23 Tue Company Harriers Competition (Glynde) 1st Southwick 52 2nd

Battalion Scripture Competition

Battalion Scripture Competition was held on Monday 23rd February 2015, the result is as follows;

1st place, 3rd Burgess Hill Company Joint 2nd place 10th Brighton (Hove) [B] and 14th Brighton Company 4th place, 10th Brighton (Hove) [A].

Steve Roberts

National Music Festivals The National Music Festivals for the Boys' and Girls' Brigade and friends in 2015:

We are looking forward to receiving a report on the Music Festival event of the Southern festival which took place in Chandlers Ford, Hampshire on 28th March. Still to come is the Midlands festival event in Halesowen, Birmingham on 25th April . Page 10 Stedfast News Spring 2015

Biography - Ray Eaves STEDFAST COMMITTEE MEMBER.

I joined the 22nd Brighton (Hove) Company at the age of eight, the 22nd was part of Portland Road Methodist Church Hove. I started in the “Life Boys” as they were known back then. I was introduced to the Company by a friend who I used to go to Sunday school with. The lady who was in charge of the “Life Boys” section was Enid Fletcher, a very nice Christian and friendly lady. I was in the “Life Boys” until I was eleven and became a leading boy.

At the age of eleven I transferred to the Company Section, Captain Eddie Patching was in charge of this section, he was a true Christian man who all the boys looked up to and was someone who’s example you could follow. During my time in the Company, I was a member of the silver band, playing the side drum, and was delighted to go with the band on an exchange visit to a Company of the FDF in Denmark. The FDF are a Christian organisation run on the same lines as the Boys’ Brigade. I also represented the Company in various Battalion Competitions which included; Drill, Draughts, Football, Scripture & Badminton. I also attended Glynde and Company Camps. I was promoted to Lance Corporal and then to Corporal, when I was discharge at eighteen I was promoted to Staff Sergeant, then on to become a Warrant Officer and then Lieutenant. After twelve years as an Officer, I had to resign due to personal reasons.

In 1987 my son joined the Anchor Section of the 10th Brighton (Hove) Company, when they found out that I had B.B. experience I was asked to help in the Company Section, which I did up until 1992 when I became an officer taking drill. In 1996 the Captain, Alan Lee had to give up due to health reasons and I took on the role of Captain and after attending the required training courses, I was appointed Captain.

I was Captain of the 10th up until 2003, when due to health reasons I had to give up. I then was asked to join the Battalion Executive as a Vice President, this I did up until 2013, when I had to resigned. I then became a Stedfast committee member of the Stedfast Association.

Funerals

You know from the In Memoriam entry every Newsletter of those of Our Members who have passed to Higher Service. In most cases at least one Member of the Committee tries to attend the Funeral sometimes along with other Members. In February I attended the funeral of Keith Thompson formerly of the 10th B’ton (Hove). He was a loyal supporter of Stedfast and I was pleased to be able to attend. His Father was a Captain of the 10th and His Mother was Captain of the 1st Hove Girls Life Brigade.

I also attended the funeral of Peter Jackman formerly of the 13th B’ton, this was well supported by former members of the 13th and Paul Simmons of the Committee. Peter’s Grandson spoke fine words about his Grandfather and it was apparent that he was a very well liked Family Man. They will both be missed of that there is little doubt. Dick Page 11 Stedfast News Spring 2015

Membership Secretary

Since last years AGM there have been no significant changes to our membership although the attendance I am pleased to say was up on last year, with the numbers up to 115 who signed in on the day. During the last meeting of your committee before the annual AGM & Annual Reunion I informed the committee of my wish to stand down from the post of Membership Secretary. This item was raised during the AGM as "committee nominations". Unfortunately no one came forward to fill the post, in consequence I agreed at the time to continue maintaining the membership role until such time a new secretary was appointed. My intention was to finish after this year`s membership applications had been renewed and the records maintained and handed over to the new secretary. I am therefore giving further notice that I will give up the post before the next AGM so a new membership secretary must be found. Are you the new MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY ? Ken Towner Hon Membership secretary

Photos from the Annual reunion Stedfast Band Report

Although the Brighton band is struggling for numbers we continue to have a practice once a month often joined by several members from London. The Brighton people currently in the band are: Barry McCann, Richard Newman, Ken Towner, Dave Woods, Carol Simmons, Paul Simmons, Robert Simmons, Dave Norman, Paul Herne, and Brian White. Junior buglers are also given tuition and join in.They are Harry Jack and Jack 2. The National Band is going well and many events are planned . Including 8th to 12th May on Guernsey to celebrate 70th Anniversary of Liberation of the Island. And a Local event.. Eastbourne Carnival Saturday afternoon 30th May. Please come and support the band on the seafront. It should be noted that the National Band has members from Brighton, London, Malvern, Halifax, Newport, Ipswich, Loughborough, Stafford, Bury St Edmonds, and 2 members from Romsey, Swindon, Bristol, Wales, Scotland and Germany. As you see the band is alive and kicking, but any ex band players out there are very welcome to join. Please !!!! We meet at Southwick Methodist Church on the first Friday of every month at 1900 hours

Brian White Band Leader. Page 12 Stedfast News Spring 2015

Stedfast Association Brighton, Hove and District Branch Minutes of meeting

Annual General Meeting of members held at Southwick Methodist Church, Manor Hall Road, Southwick on 18 January 2015. Annual Reunion Service at 2.30pm followed by tea and AGM.

Chairman John Donoghue John opened the meeting and thanked the tea ladies and helpers. The tea was being paid for by the Dale family in memory of our former committee member and treasurer Frank Dale. John thanked all those that participated at the Reunion including our President Peter Ford, Rev Ian Suttie, John Neil OBE, Derek Hinton, the colour parties, Carl for playing the organ, the 1st Southwick Company for carrying out the collection and Paul Simmons for playing the bugle during the service of remembrance. Greetings, announcements and apologies were read by Ken Towner. A full list is available on request. Dick Kent then gave a tribute to Ros Ayling for life long service to the BB and then Ros was presented with an engraved clock by the Deputy Mayor of Brighton and Hove, Cllr Denise Cobb who said a few words about Ros and her invitation to our reunion. Alan Caperon informed the meeting that 115 members and guests had attended the reunion this afternoon. Alan also explained that John Corin of the 30th Brighton had been taken ill before the service and had gone to hospital by ambulance but is improving. Adoption of the 2014 reunion AGM minutes and matters arising Alan Caperon asked the meeting to vote upon the Adoption of 2014 Reunion AGM minutes which were unanimously approved. Adoption of the 2014 accounts-Alan Caperon Alan Caperon then presented the Associations accounts which had been verified by John Dent, Chartered Accountant. The members unanimously approved the adoption of the accounts. The Battalion President- Derek Hinton Derek Hinton did his usual round up of Battalion matters. His address is shown in full in this Newsletter. The President of the Federation of Stedfast Associations and the Brigade Honorary President, John Neil OBE gave us an insight into his ambassadorial role of recent years in promoting the BB around the world. Election of the Officers and Committee members for 2015/16 The members then elected the Officers and Committee members as follows:- President- Peter Ford Vice Presidents- Rev Ian Suttie and Rev Julian Albrow Alan Pratt asked why Julian Albrow was still being elected as Vice President when he had not attended a reunion since he had left the Southwick Methodist Church. John Donoghue explained that Julian will be invited to attend next year’s reunion.

Continued next page Page 13 Stedfast News Spring 2015

Minutes of meeting- continued Hon Membership secretary- Ken Towner, has decided to retire but agreed to remain in office until we can find a new Hon Membership secretary. Committee nominations, all re-elected John Donoghue (Chairman), Hon Secretary and Hon Treasurer-Alan Caperon, Jim Attwater, Ray Eaves, Dick Kent, Terry Pomfrey, Stephen Roberts, Les Russell and Paul Simmons.

Oldest and youngest old Boys present Les Russell had the task of establishing who were the oldest and youngest members present at the reunion, who are Jim Attwater and Carl Smart respectively who are grandfather and grandson. Any other business The vesper was sung at the close of the AGM The tea table collection was later counted and totalled £163.45. The church collection was later counted and totalled £278.34 Date of 2016 reunion-17 January 2016

THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF

BRIGHTON & HOVE CITY COUNCIL THE MAYOR’S PARLOUR TOWN HALL • BRIGHTON • BN1 1JA Date: 10th February 2015 Email: [email protected] Dear Tel: 01273 291225

Armed Forces Events May and June 2015

You are invited to attend the following civic events: Joint Commemoration and Wreath Laying to mark VE and VJ Days Sunday 10th May 2015 @ 3pm War Memorial Old Steine, Brighton Refreshments afterwards in the Mayor’s Parlour, Brighton Town Hall

Flag Raising to mark the start of Armed Forces Week Monday 22nd June 2015 @ 11am War Memorial Old Steine, Brighton

Armed Forces Day Saturday 27th June 2015 @ 11am

If you would like to take part in the Veterans and Cadets Parade, or your cadet or armed forces charity organisation would like to have a table on the day to give out information to the public, please let us know.

To confirm your attendance as well as stating whether you wish to lay a wreath, please contact Diane Coe either by email at [email protected] or by telephone on 01273 291280 as soon as possible. Wreaths can be purchased through the Royal British Legion head office: 01622 717172.

Yours truly Mayor’s Office Brighton & Hove Page 14 Stedfast News Spring 2015

Reunion and Annual General Meeting

Our Next Reunion SUNDAY 17th JANUARY 2016 at Southwick Methodist Church. Service starts 2.30pm Band playing from 2.00pm

We hope to see as many of you as possible for our Annual Get Together. We welcome serving senior Boys and Company Officers. You are all very welcome and we look forward to seeing you.

At the AGM we will be electing our officers, Any names to; Dick Kent, (e-mail; [email protected]) You will need to obtain their permission first. If you are interested in joining our committee, please contact any current committee member. A further update will appear in the Summer edition of the Newsletter.

Federation Annual Council Weekend 15th May 2015

Can I ask you to make your booking for the Annual Council Weekend in Liverpool As Soon As Possible, please? We have 40 rooms reserved at the hotel and so far we have 21 members staying, occupying 16 rooms. The Liner Hotel contract states 25% of total due will be charged for cancellations received within 28 days of arrival date, and we obviously do not want to incur any unnecessary costs if we can avoid it. Thank you; if you have any questions, please ask Tom Lindsay in Liverpool or myself. PHILLIP C STALLARD Secretary The Federation of Stedfast Associations, UK & the Republic of Ireland Ffôn/Telephone: (01633) 215753 - Home 029 2082 1790 - Work e-bost/e-mail: [email protected]

The next Newsletter will be Summer 2015 Please submit all contributions (electronically or typed if possible) before 30/07/2015 To Terry Pomfrey 148 Mile Oak Road Portslade Brighton BN41 2PL. Email; [email protected]

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